Mastercard, Fiserv execs take sides on debit regulation

A Mastercard executive painted Regulation II as potentially harmful to consumers, while Fiserv’s CEO said it was an appropriate update due to the rise of online transactions.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 4, 2024

Klarna news may confirm workers’ worst fears: AI replacement

FOBO or “fear of becoming obsolete” has long plagued workers concerned about AI replacing their jobs.

By Caroline Colvin • March 1, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Cross-border payments targeted for upgrades

When it comes to cross-border payments, businesses, non-profits and governments alike are determined to increase the speed of transactions and cut the cost.

By Payments Dive staff

Affirm preps for UK launch

Beyond expansion to the U.K., the BNPL provider may seek to plant a flag where its large partners such as Amazon and Shopify have a presence, said Affirm’s Chief Revenue Officer Wayne Pommen.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 1, 2024

Fiserv ponders M&A

CEO Frank Bisignano declined to comment Wednesday on a potential acquisition of Shift4, but would like to see Fiserv make more purchases that further its digital capabilities.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 29, 2024

App features bolster Zip’s US revenue growth

Gamified repayment and variable first installments were two features that CEO Cynthia Scott said contributed to the BNPL company’s U.S. revenue growth.

By James Pothen • Feb. 28, 2024

Amazon expands smart carts pilot

The tech giant’s smart shopping carts, designed to speed up the checkout process, are now available for use in a California Whole Foods store.

By James Pothen • Feb. 27, 2024

Self-checkout promises ultimate convenience. Is it doing its job?

The process can make for faster, easier experiences, but it needs regular attention and helpful associates to thrive, consultants said. 

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 26, 2024

Congress members lob dueling gun code bills

Democratic and Republican Congress members took opposing stances this month in introducing bills on the use of a new gun merchant category code.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 26, 2024

Cash-strapped consumers turn to BNPL: Fed survey

Consumers facing financial hardships turned to buy now, pay later services more last year than stable consumers, according to survey results from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 23, 2024

Affirm sheds workers

The buy now, pay later provider has cut about 6% of its employees, joining other payments companies that have trimmed workforces this year.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 22, 2024

Mastercard to be dinged by Discover deal

While both Mastercard and Visa will be impacted by Discover Financial Services’ plan to be acquired by card issuer Capital One, the former is likely to bear the brunt of the blow.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 21, 2024

Cross-border payments remain focus for Fed

Tools that “automate processes, reduce costs and promote effective safeguards across jurisdictions” may help improve cross-border payments, a Federal Reserve official said last week.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 20, 2024

PayPal invests in AI startup Rasa

The investment is the first that the digital payments pioneer is making from its new artificial intelligence venture fund.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 20, 2024

Toast to cut 550 employees

The company’s CEO acknowledged during an earnings call that “we grew our team too quickly in some areas,” while reporting a presence in 106,000 locations as of the end of 2023.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 16, 2024

Global Payments may pare operations

While there has been industry speculation about the company making an acquisition, CEO Cameron Bready was more ready to talk “pruning” this week.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 15, 2024

BNPL popularity rises among ‘financially fragile’ consumers

About 60% of that group has used BNPL five or more times in the past year, compared to just over 20% of financially stable consumers, the New York Fed said.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 15, 2024

Apple extends prepaid debit card reach

Adding a virtual card number feature “is about giving options to consumers when retailers do not support Apple Pay,” Creative Strategies President Carolina Milanesi said.

By James Pothen • Feb. 15, 2024

Adyen eyes growth in North America

Davi Strazza, North America president at Adyen, pointed to the Dutch processor’s single technology platform as setting it apart in a crowded field of payments players.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 14, 2024

Bitcoin Depot expands footprint by 400 ATMs

The bitcoin ATM operator is adding to its fleet as it sees “a lot of demand,” according to COO Scott Buchanan.

By James Pothen • Feb. 14, 2024

PayPal’s Rabinovitch takes Worldpay CFO seat

Worldpay will lean on PayPal alum Gabrielle Rabinovitch’s finance chops to help it navigate life as an independent company after a recent rocky history for the business.

By Grace Noto • Feb. 13, 2024

Card networks to implement gun code in California: report

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are moving forward with use of a new gun merchant category code for credit card purchases in California, according to CBS News.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 12, 2024

Affirm takes cautious approach to six-month outlook

The buy now, pay later company’s forecast for the rest of the fiscal year was conservative, analysts said, even though revenue and merchandise volume jumped over the prior year during the holiday season.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 12, 2024

Western Union, Euronet lean into digital growth

The cross-border payments companies are increasingly turning to digital services to drive growth in a market that is “a bare-knuckle street fight every single day.”

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 9, 2024

PayPal cost-cutting likely to persist

The digital payments pioneer’s expense reductions may take years to benefit the company’s bottom line as management resets the business strategy.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 8, 2024

Card debt climbs to record $1.13 trillion

Consumers’ credit card debt rose nearly 5% in the fourth quarter, compared to the third quarter, adding to delinquencies as well.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 7, 2024